Trouble Shooting & Failure Analysis

Trouble Shooting & Failure Analysis

Trouble Shooting Sealing Problems

Problems at the Faces Carbons, Ceramic, Silicon and Tungsten Carbide Faces Wear Heat Hang-up

Problems with Secondary Seals O-Rings, Bellows Cuts Overheated Compatibility with process

Problems with Drive Elements, Load Elements, Adaptive Hardware Retainers, Springs, Sleeves, Gland Plates Corrosion Wear

Wide Wear Track on Mating Ring WIDE WEAR TRACK ON MATING RING.140. 095 POSSIBLE CAUSES Worn bearings Excessive shaft runnout Bent shaft Excessive vibration CORRECTIVE ACTION Restore equipment to manufacturer s standards Operate equipment under stable conditions

INTERMITTENT SEAL FACE WEAR PATTERN POSSIBLE CAUSES Face not flat Gland distortion (uneven tightening) Uneven mounting surface CORRECTIVE ACTION Resurface distorted seal ring Use proper procedure to tighten gland fasteners

DEEP GROOVE ON SEAL FACE POSSIBLE CAUSES Inadequate lubrication Abrasives in process fluid CORRECTIVE ACTION Flush seal with a fluid with good lubricating qualities at an adequate flow rate Consider face materials that can withstand abrasive particles Prevent crystallization of process fluid

EXCENTRIC WEAR TRACK ON MATING RING POSSIBLE CAUSES Rotor not centered with mating ring CORRECTIVE ACTION Check alignment relationship of rotating to stationary parts

HEAT CHECKING POSSIBLE CAUSES Inadequate face lubrication CORRECTIVE ACTION Provide adequate, continuous lubricating flush to seal Consider face material change

FACE BLISTERING and PULLOUTS POSSIBLE CAUSES Process fluid too viscous for the face material Adhesive condition caused by fluid physical property change in the interface, resulting from viscous shear or heating of the fluid CORRECTIVE ACTION Provide adequate cooling Change face materials

PITTING, LEACHING, or GENERAL CORROSION POSSIBLE CAUSES Chemical attack of material or one or more of its constituents CORRECTIVE ACTION Change materials

FRACTURED or CRACKED SEAL FACE POSSIBLE CAUSES Thermal shock Mechanical shock or impact CORRECTIVE ACTION Avoid uneven or over tightening of fasteners Maintain consistent flush to seal Determine cause of mechanical shock or impact

CHIPS, CRACKS IN SEAL RING POSSIBLE CAUSES Mishandling of parts Improper installation CORRECTIVE ACTION Follow proper installation procedure Avoid point contact or sudden impact of brittle face materials

Swelled O-RING SWELL Normal Size POSSIBLE CAUSES Chemical attack CORRECTIVE ACTION Change elastomer to one appropriate for the fluid being pumped

ELASTOMER WITH CUTS & NICKS POSSIBLE CAUSES Improper installation technique Sharp steps/surface breaks on mounting surface CORRECTIVE ACTION Use chamfers on shaft and sleeve steps Remove sharp edges at keyways, threads, etc.

HARD or CRACKED ELASTOMERS POSSIBLE CAUSES Thermal breakdown of compound Chemical attack CORRECTIVE ACTION Cool seal chamber Select elastomer appropriate for process fluid

SPRING DISTORTED, CRACKED, BROKEN, CORRODED POSSIBLE CAUSES Excessive shaft speed Metal corrosion Metal fatigue CORRECTIVE ACTION Select proper metallurgy for sealing application Select appropriate type of spring for application

Improper lubricant used to install the seal Evidenced by the heavy transfer of carbon from the Primary Ring to Mating Ring

Silicone Adhesive used on cup of Mating Ring caused the seal to stick together and locked the Drive Tabs. Seal was unable to flex and failed. Drive tabs locked Silicon Adhesive

Concentricity and/or bearing/shaft problem. Note tracking on Mating Ring. Normal Pattern Too Narrow Primary Ring running off Mating Ring

Seal is being chemically attacked by the process. Process is breaking down the Primary Ring and the Elastomer Excellent Face Pattern

Installation Issue and Wrong Lubrication Seal was started on shaft, then removed and re-installed. The rubber Drive Ring was forced up into the seal The wrong lubrication was used as indicated by the transfer of carbon to the Mating Ring. The seal came apart upon final installation.

This seal operated in a very dirty environment and the Mating Ring bore does not appear to be concentric with the shaft. Face of Primary Ring scratched and grooved. Running off the Mating Ring then back on again. Particles of dirt everywhere.

Heavy Grease Used to Install the Seal Grease

Questions??